Celtic Ekklesia -with OEC- Scottish and English borders

29/04/2026

29/04/2026

St Catherine of Siena (29 April)
Caterina di Jacopo di Benincasa was born in 1347 and, as a young woman, joined what later became known as The Third Order of Dominicans. She was a consecrated virgin who took a vow of chastity and eventually became a spiritual adviser to two popes. She is famous for three genres of work: the Dialogue of Divine Providence; her letters to many people (including the Pope; Kings and Queens of the day and her closest friend Raymond du Capua) and her 26 prayers. Most of St Catherine's works were dictated as she did not learn to write until later in her life. St Catherine is the patron saint of Italy, Europe and the United States as well as nurses, those facing illness, fire, s*xual temptation and those who are persecuted for their faith. Catherine's close friendship with Raymond du Capua can be seen in the letters she sent him. These demonstrate a very strong spiritual love between the two which enabled them both to be completely open with one another. The friendship also survived many trials which are documented in these letters.

01/04/2026

The shroud remains one of the world’s most controversial Christian artefacts

01/04/2026

Erwin Kräutler questions why proposals backed by bishops, including married priests, were absent from Querida Amazonia

29/03/2026

Happy Palm Sunday

29/03/2026

On Palm Sunday, the crowds were united. The people were joyous. They were together following Jesus.

18/03/2026

Endorsed by Mary McAleese and Soline Humbert.

The Sins of Mandatory Celibacy: The History and Consequences of Mandatory Celibacy Within Catholicism Kindle Edition
by Debra Maria Flint (Author), Paul Murphy Sanderson (Author)

Order from WIPF: https://wipfandstock.com/9798385260812/the-sins-of-mandatory-celibacy/

Endorsed by Mary McAleese:
Debra Flint raises a very controvercial question when she makes a link between mandatory priestly celibacy and the avalanche of historic and contemporary scandals in the Catholic Church involving clerical child s*x abuse.

Endorsed by Soline Humbert:
I have just finished reading Paul's story in The Sins Of Mandatory Celibacy. It is a courageous and a very important testimony which deserves a wide readership for the issues it raises and which concern all Catholics. A broken, abusive clerical system needs to be addressed, not covered up.

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This book investigates the origins of the Catholic hierarchy’s decision to mandate celibacy and the effects this has had on Catholic culture and wider society. In part 1, Debra Maria Flint examines the history and theology of mandatory celibacy and demonstrates that this practice has no roots in Judaism or the teachings of Jesus. Flint then discusses the effects of enforced celibacy and illustrates how it cemented the creation of a patriarchal church. She argues that the consequences of this were a misogynistic culture, the psychological maladjustment of some priests, abuses of human rights, illicit s*xual practices, and s*xual abuse.

In part 2, Paul Murphy Sanderson, a former Cistercian monk and priest, describes Catholic culture from within and gives a brave and harrowing account of the s*xual abuse he experienced during his time as a member of the Catholic clergy.

Debra Maria Flint is a Catholic feminist writer who has fought for an end to misogynistic and abusive practices. She has now teamed up with Paul Murphy Sanderson, a former Catholic priest, to create a book that challenges the Catholic Church to rid itself of manmade customs that distort the original message of Christianity.